Vairatgad Fort

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 0 Comments A+ a-

Vairatgad Fort

Type                           Vairatgad is Hill fort     
Difficulty level           Vairatgad Fort is a medium trek. 
Height                        Vairatgad is 3340 ft. (1018mtrs) above sea level.     
Base village / District / Taluka -  Vyajwadi, Mhasve / Satara/Jaoli, Maharashtra,India.

History of Vairatgad Fort

Shivaji Maharaj used this fort as a military base he included this fort when he conquered the Wai region in his kingdom before this, the fort was built by Bhoj Raja, the Kolhapur Silahara chief Bhoja of Panhala.

This region was originally inhabited by the tribes known as Vairats, Pandavas captured this region. Presently fort has remains of military buildings, and 5 stone water ponds, one water pond outside the cave.

Time to reach the top
it will take around 1hrs 30min-2 hrs from the base village. (Vyajwadi)

Minimum Duration 
it will take around 1hrs 30min-2 hrs from the base village. (Vyajwadi)

Best time to visit the fort
One can visit the fort till September to May as there are many problems in summer which includes Water and much more.

Water Availability 
Water not available on the fort, You have to carry water in summer and all year around.

Accommodation Availability
Yes accommodation is available on the fort; Hanuman Temple which can accommodate 7-8 peoples.

Places to visit on the Vairatgad Fort 

Bastion, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, Temple of God Hanuman.

Lets find How to reach to Vairatgad Fort

way from Pune to Vairatgad Fort

The way from Pune to Vairatgad:- From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses or Local transport available to Wai from Swargate bus station. (84kms), One can also go from Satara as their distance is 35 km and many transport facilities are available. The distance from Wai to Vairatgad fort is only 18 km. There are buses or local transport available from Wai which will take you to Vyajwadi.

Way from Mumbai to Vairatgad Fort

From Mumbai, there are ST (State Transport) buses or local buses available from Mumbai to Base Village Satara. (259kms) One can also go from Satara as their distance is 35 km and many transport facilities are available. The distance from Wai to Vairatgad Fort is only 18 km. There are buses or local transport available from Wai which will take you to Vyajwadi. 

Mumbai-Satara From the Mumbai to Satara trains are available,(Sharavati exp(11.35),Puducherry exp(11005),Tirunelveli exp(11021),Mahalaxmi exp(17411),Adi-kop exp(11049))(182kms) Mumbai to Satara by train

Places to visit nearby the Vairatgad Fort

Sajjangad fort (Aswalyagad)
This fort was named as Asvalya as here many bear which are called "Aswals" in Marathi hence they used to call this fort as" Aswalyagad". Sajjangad is a hill fort which is 3500 feet above sea level with a minimum duration of 1 day required Sajjangad offers Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Darwaja and Santh Ramdas Swami Math.

Santh Ramdas was a saint who wrote "Dasbodh", He was a teacher to Shivaji Maharaj on his request Sant Ramdas Swami set up a permanent monastery. Now the fort is maintained by trust of Sant Ramdas Swami they take morning prayers and pujas to the devotees trust offers food to the devotees who visit here daily they built dharmashalas for peoples to stay on the fort every year on Shiv Jayanti this place is crowded by devotees of Shivaji Maharaj.

Kalyangad (Nandagiri) fort
Kalyangad is hill fort which is 3500 feet above sea level it is an easy trek on this fort it is also known as "Nandagiri" fort this fort was won by Shivaji Maharaj in 1673 from the Shilahar kings while capturing the surrounding regions of the Satara.

After Shivaji Maharaj the fort went in the hands of representatives who were also called as Pratinidhis but Peshwa's also fought for the fort and they successfully got the fort in 1818 British took control over the fort under the command of General "Prisler".

Chandan-Vandan
This fort is a hill fort that is 3800 feet above sea level it is an easy trek this fort are twin fort which was captured by Shivaji Maharaj along with Kalyangad and Ajinkyatara, during the campaign of Satara but Shivaji Maharaj could hold this fort till 1689 BC from there after Mughals captured the fort in 1707. But Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj won this fort back and used it as a watch tower in the region Tarabai, After 1818 British ruled the fort.

Ajinkyatra
This fort is a hill fort which is 3300 feet above sea level it is an easy trek. Shivaji Maharaj made this fort his fourth capital after Rajgad, Raigad and Jinji. Shivaji Maharaj stayed on this fort for around two months because of his illness.

After the death of this Great Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj on 3rd April 1680, Aurangzeb took this chance and started invading Maharashtra in 1682 in 1689 he looted the fort.
There are two entrances from the Satara Side. Which one of them was as it was before. At the right side entrance, there is the Hanuman temple this place is best for staying, and left side of the entrance there is Shiva Temple.

Mangalai Devi Temple, Tararani Palace, Lakes near Entrance. Beautiful view of Satara City, Sanjjangad, Parli Area and other forts.